HISTORIC REVIEW-Ct River Greenway-MHC-ACOE-NHC
January 29, 2015
Brona Simon, Executive Director
State Historic Preservation Officer
Massachusetts Historical Commission
220 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125
RE: Connecticut River Boating Safety Program
Connecticut River at Shepherd’s Island
Northampton, MA. MHX #RC.52601
Dear Ms. Simon,
I am belatedly following up on a June 11, 2012 letter from you on a proposed project that would consist
of partial demolition of a rock and log crib within the Connecticut River off Shepherd’s Island in
Northampton.
You asked for more information on the project before we can proceed. We understand that we will
need various permits moving forward and will obtain any necessary permit before proceeding.
Narrative describing the method of demolition and work conditions (e.g., wet or dry)
The project is to remove up to the upper six feet of rock and log crib that is located in the Connecticut
River off Shepherd’s island to remove its ongoing risk to navigation. The remainder of the crib and the
entire log, rock, and log‐drive metal debris field on the base of cribbing in the river will remain
untouched.
Because the crib is located in the river, much of the work will take place below water level. Work will be
done during low water conditions.
Work will take place from a barge. All logs and rocks will be picked up from the crib by crane or by a
power shovel of some kind by picking them up, so as not disturb the base of the crib.
Scaled existing and proposed conditions project plans (include onshore project impacts)
There will be no onshore project impacts. Machinery will be stored and all river access will be from
existing developed marinas or boat launches. There will be no contact of any kind with the shoreline
except this access to the river.
This will be a book job, meaning that no plans are required for construction. The construction contract
will be to do all work from a barge and remove the crib down to a maximum of six feet.
Separately, prior to construction, the city is coordinating a detailed above ground and underwater
mapping (using totally non‐invasive remote sensing) of the structure both to
document the structure and determine the exact volume of material to be
removed. Plans of the structure, based on these measurements, will be developed and made available.
Current condition of the rock and wood crib (including conditions assessment)
On a scale of hazardous, unstable deterioration, ongoing deterioration, or stable, the crib is suffering
from ongoing deterioration. There is rot and deteriorating wood, especially in the logs that undergo a
wet dry cycle each year due to fluctuating water conditions. There is a debris field of rock that has fallen
off the structure already.
Since the cribbing no longer needs to support a cable and the weight of logs, the biggest risk is the
ongoing log deterioration and the risk that floating debris during a large storm event could damage the
upper part of the crib.
Current photographs of rock and log crib
Underwater‐ rock debris field around crib
Available information on the age of the rock and wood crib and its potential role in the history of
Northampton and the logging industry on the Connecticut River
There are two rock and log cribs in Northampton, one located on the southerly tip of Shepherd’s Island
(which will not be disturbed in anyway by this project) and one located off shore from Shepherd’s Island,
which is the subject of this request. The cribs were installed circa 1880.
Each log driving season, from when the cribs were installed until 1915, there was a log and cable barrier
between the two cribs to catch logs during log drives. Logs were stored and then, as needed, pulled by
steam powered tugboat to a saw mill in the former Connecticut River Oxbow downstream or else they
were released to feed Holyoke saw mills. Northampton and Holyoke served as the southerly‐most
terminus of the great log drives from 1870 to 1915. (Source: Ed Klekowski, lead producer. 2005.
Dynamite, Whiskey and Wood: Connecticut River Log Drives 1870‐1915. WGBY video.)
If more specific information is required, please send me a more detailed scope so that we can hire the
appropriate consultant.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Wayne Feiden, FAICP
Director of Planning and Sustainability
950 CMR: OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH
APPENDIX A
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD
BOSTON, MASS. 02125
617-727-8470, FAX: 617-727-5128
PROJECT NOTIFICATION FORM
Project Name: ________________________________________________________________________________
Location / Address: ___________________________________________________________________________
City / Town: ________________________________________________________________________________
Project Proponent
Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________
City/Town/Zip/Telephone: _____________________________________________________________________
Agency license or funding for the project (list all licenses, permits, approvals, grants or other entitlements being
sought from state and federal agencies).
Agency Name Type of License or funding (specify)
Project Description (narrative):
Does the project include demolition? If so, specify nature of demolition and describe the building(s) which
are proposed for demolition.
Does the project include rehabilitation of any existing buildings? If so, specify nature of rehabilitation
and describe the building(s) which are proposed for rehabilitation.
Does the project include new construction? If so, describe (attach plans and elevations if necessary).
5/31/96 (Effective 7/1/93) - corrected 950 CMR - 275
950 CMR: OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH
APPENDIX A (continued)
To the best of your knowledge, are any historic or archaeological properties known to exist within the
project’s area of potential impact? If so, specify.
What is the total acreage of the project area?
Woodland ______________acres Productive Resources:
Wetland________________acres Agriculture _________________acres
Floodplain______________acres Forestry ___________________acres
Open space______________acres Mining/Extraction ___________acres
Developed ______________acres Total Project Acreage_________acres
What is the acreage of the proposed new construction? _________________acres
What is the present land use of the project area?
Please attach a copy of the section of the USGS quadrangle map which clearly marks the project location.
This Project Notification Form has been submitted to the MHC in compliance with 950 CMR 71.00.
Signature of Person submitting this form: _________________________________Date: ____________________
Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________
City/Town/Zip: ______________________________________________________________________________
Telephone: __________________________________________________________________________________
REGULATORY AUTHORITY
950 CMR 71.00: M.G.L. c. 9, §§ 26-27C as amended by St. 1988, c. 254.
7/1/93 950 CMR - 276
January 22, 2019
Northampton Historical Commission
210 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
RE: Connecticut River at Shepherd’s Island: Northampton, MA. MHX #RC.52601
Dear Northampton Historical Commission
We are exploring a partial demolition of a rock and log crib in the Connecticut River off Shepherd’s
Island, Northampton. The crib is a hazard to boating and we have had several boat crashes onto the
rocks, even with our channel marking program. With climate change, we are seeing more high water
periods that damage or displace our channel markers, which means that even during the period when
we have markers on the river (Memorial Day to Labor Day) there are times when the crib is not marked.
We would like your agreement that you do not object to the work.
Rock and wood crib and its role in the history of Northampton and the logging industry
There are two rock and log cribs in Northampton, one located on the southerly tip of Shepherd’s Island
(which will not be disturbed in anyway by this project) and one located off shore from Shepherd’s Island,
which is the subject of this request. The cribs were installed circa 1880.
Each log driving season, from when the cribs were installed until 1915, there was a log and cable barrier
between the two cribs to catch logs during log drives. Logs were stored and then, as needed, pulled by
steam powered tugboat to a saw mill in the former Connecticut River Oxbow downstream or else they
were released to feed Holyoke saw mills. Northampton and Holyoke served as the southerly‐most
terminus of the great log drives from 1870 to 1915. (Source: Ed Klekowski, lead producer. 2005.
Dynamite, Whiskey and Wood: Connecticut River Log Drives 1870‐1915. WGBY video.)
Description of Proposed work
We are not doing anything to the structure on Shepherd’s Island. The project will remove up to the
upper six feet of rock and log crib that is located in the Connecticut River off Shepherd’s island to
remove its ongoing risk to navigation. The remainder of the crib and the entire log, rock, and log‐drive
metal debris field on the base of cribbing in the river will remain untouched. Because the crib is located
in the river, much of the work will take place below water level. Work will be done during low water
conditions. Work will take place from a barge. All logs and rocks will be picked up from the crib by crane
or by a power shovel of some kind by picking them up, so as not disturb the base of the crib.
Current condition of the rock and wood crib: The crib is suffering from ongoing deterioration. There is
rot and deteriorating wood, especially in the logs that undergo a wet dry cycle each year due to
fluctuating water conditions. There is a debris field of rock that has fallen off the structure already.
Since the cribbing no longer needs to support a cable and the weight of logs, the biggest risk is the
ongoing log deterioration and the risk that floating debris during a large storm event could damage the
upper part of the crib.
Current photographs of rock and log crib
Underwater‐ rock debris field around crib
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Wayne Feiden, FAICP
Director of Planning and Sustainability